Nick Sousanis Unflattening Analysis

The whole concept of Nick Sousanis 's comic "Unflattening" pertains to how one can see different things and read the social world. While the social world of mankind is shaped based on the choices our ancestors made, do social patterns and behaviors really have to be a certain way? Perhaps, there is a flatness not yet scene that allows for this blinded vision and machine like operation which does not question repetition. A main focal point being stressed. Essentially, a main point Sousanis wants us to note is this: (1) change our perception in things, (2) changed perception creates a change in action, thus (3) a change to the world.

Much to the consternation of each figure depicts, it is to be argued that no entity knows his or her blindness--even

Thus, revealing how even some of the most rudimentary, yet fundamental, aspect in western culture is blinded by its own perception. Can or should the justice system implemented by the founding the fathers be changed?

It is not until the figures enter a euphoric state of discomposure, an intense awaking caused by a disrupted patterns, allowing for the first detailed eyes to emerge. This event--taking place on page 25--additionally shows the Greek god Hermes 's shoes. One could easily argue Hermes 's reputation as a trickster for self gratification based on deceiving god or helping mankind connects with one of the underlining motifs of the story. Hermes shoes essentially transcends the man like figure. Thus, the correlation shows how Hermes once again helps the figure obtain a new higher and heighten sense.

Additionally, seeing how Hermes is the god of thieves, wit, literature and poetry, perhaps this is one of the first marker Sousanis hints at the reader: Hermes, along with other patterns, symbolizes an array of motifs. While Hermes is a god known for thieves, he may be responsible for the abnormal amount of patterns within the comic: Da Vince painting and drawing (page 90 and 14, respectively), Egyptian hieroglyphics (page 6), the rose painting (page 60), a similar sense of Dr. Seuss ' art style (page 108),

With that being said, Sousanis also creates this ideology of an "natural perspective." Meaning, this natural perspective is what guides these figures in a sheep-like manner. The conveyor belt is a representation of how unwillingful a person is to question things. (Dead fish goes with the flow cliche.) The problem here creates this dominate the perspective that makes other perspective not worthy, which in itself is the same thing Sousanis argues not to do: That is to not follow sheepishly.

Additionally, a huge detrimental flaw in the comic come from the constant critique of the education system. The education system depicted in the comic demonstrates how it is flawed and nothing more than an additional conveyor belt. Since most western educational books read from right to left then down, why create a comic following those same standards? Why not create something unique like a manga comic? A manga comic at least reads from the opposite direction. Why not create a unique comic where you can read from ever other page and the concept is alter enough to get the same message but in a new perspective?